Meall Gorm
📍 Scotland , Highland · Nearest city: Portree (30 km)
10 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 658 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
57.40250, -5.70180Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 0 | Low |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.00 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.33 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
To reach the launch, walk back south along the road from the parking area towards the head of the Pass. About a hundred metres or so beyond a tiny roadside lochan on the left, break out right in a southerly direction, taking a direct line over rough rocky ground. After 700m a series of small lochs are reached. Skirt around these and then contour along the south west slopes of Meall Gorm until a suitable launch site is found. Although the terrain is strewn with rough Torridonian sandstone boulders and small outcrops, there are plenty of grassy areas affording good launching points.
Rules and notes
The boundary of the Highland Restricted Area (HRA) just misses out the bulk of the Applecross peninsula. This means that technically, although XC potential is severely curtailed, unlike many of the highland sites midweek flying is an option when the HRA is active. It is however still very important to note that this whole area is often busy with military traffic entering and exiting the HRA and paraglider pilots are strongly recommended to use the military NOTAM service prior to flying here.
Pilot comments
The remote Applecross peninsula with its sweeping views west towards the Outer Hebrides and south to the mountains of Kintail offers some of the most stunning scenery in the Highlands. Despite the general remoteness of this area, the road through the spectacular Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle) makes the main take off point, high on Meall Gorm (710m), extremely accessible for paraglider pilots. The fact that the area offers several different flying options and is also outside the Highland Restricted Area just adds to this attraction, making Applecross a popular choice for pilots based in the north of Scotland. The Meall Gorm launch takes a south through to south westerly breeze. Due to it’s aspect and proximity to the sea in the summer months it is common to experience a sea breeze here and this can mean that the site is flyable even when the wind direction is off elsewhere in the area.
Nearby sites
Bealach na Ba (3) · Coire a Chaorachain (2) · Beinn Bhan (10) · Tom na Gruagaich (18) · Liathach (14) · Beinn Liath Mhor (2)